One reader said: "I feel for this parent. I do think that threatening her with social services is a bit extreme."

Another added: "I think every primary school child should offer free school dinners. There are lots of hard working parents out there who struggle to pay for school dinners if they have more than one child."

One mum said: "It would cost me over £100 a month to give my two school meals so I opt for packed lunches and i am lucky I can.

"There are people in our community on low paid incomes and because they get just £1 of tax credits, they do not get free meals.

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"All money go on bills, they have no luxury items, just about enough money to feed them. Some parents go hungry to feed their kids. A sudden change in anyone's circumstances can turn a whole world upside down."

Another said: "That's awful to threaten her with social services for not paying £13 dinner money, at least she's working.

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"What about all the parents that can work and don't, they get everything free? And as for social services they should be concentrating on children who are been neglected. The world's gone mad."

But one mum said: "I definitely think it's absolutely ridiculous, and a compete waste of resources. The council are being pathetic.

"But also providing your children with lunch is the parent's responsibility, you either provide a packed lunch or you pay for their school lunches.

School meals (Image: Publicity Picture)

"Most schools now work on a pay in advance scheme. After all you don't buy your food from Asda, cook and eat your meal then pay for it a week after."

Another parent added: "Sorry but the parent should be paying for the meals up to date. Why do people think it’s ok to have something before they pay for it? "And if she can’t afford for the child to have school dinners , do a packed lunch for them."

Denbigh councillor, Glenn Swingler said: "I was in contact with the parent and they made a very good point in that it's possible a parent may keep their child off school if, for whatever reason, it was going to be a struggle for a couple of weeks to pay for school dinners.

"Not everyone wants to share their financial worries with schools. Letters sent in this tone do nothing to put a parents mind at rest and it is, in fact, a deterrent to keeping children in school."

Denbighshire Council said the letters have been in their Debt Policy since 2016 and that the welfare of pupils is "paramount."

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SCHOOL BUST-UPS

They added: "Parents or guardians who are in arrears with their school meals, receive an initial letter outlining the amount of the debt and offers parents a variety of ways to pay including a payment plan, if they are struggling financially.

“They are also given the opportunity to provide their child with a packed lunch until the arrears are met.

“If they fail to pay on this occasion, they receive a second and final letter, reminding them about the outstanding amount.

“Most parents pay upon receipt of the first letter.

“Our aim is to avoid escalation of debt problems within families that may already be struggling.